Basketball
CBS Sports' Updated College Basketball Top 25 After Saturday's Action
2024-12-15
College basketball enthusiasts were treated to another exhilarating week of action, and CBS Sports' Gary Parrish didn't disappoint. His updated Top 25 and 1 rankings had teams vying for positions and creating quite a buzz. With four AP Top 25 teams falling on a single Saturday, the landscape was about to get even wilder as conference play loomed.

Uncover the Latest College Basketball Rankings and Surprises

Previous Ranking: 1

Tennessee managed to hold onto its No. 1 spot in Parrish's rankings. The Volunteers' hero on Saturday was Jordan Gainey, who hit a game-winning layup as time expired, giving him a career-high 23 points and extending their win streak to 10. Despite shooting only 32.3% from the field throughout the game, this buzzer-beater win was a reassuring one for the team.

The team's coach, Bruce Pearl, has been a key figure in their success. His leadership and strategies have played a crucial role in keeping Tennessee at the top.

Previous Ranking: 2

Auburn had a dominant win over Ohio State on Saturday, with a score of 91-53. Big man Johni Broome was a standout, racking up 21 points, 20 rebounds, and six assists. He is the first Auburn player to achieve a 20-20 game since 1989. Four other Tigers also scored in double figures, showing the team's depth and scoring ability.

Auburn's performance this season has been impressive, and Broome's play has been a major factor in their success.

Previous Ranking: 3

Iowa State continued to look strong this season. They defeated Omaha after previously downing Iowa. In the win over Iowa, Curtis Jones led the way off the bench with a game-high 23 points. It was a comeback win for the Cyclones, who were down by 13 points at one point.

Iowa State's consistent performance and Jones' scoring have been key to their standing in the rankings.

Previous Ranking: 5

Mark Pope's debut campaign at Kentucky was unforgettable. The Wildcats had a big win over arch-nemesis Louisville, shooting 32-55 (58.2%) from the field and 11-21 (52.4%) from beyond the arc. Fifth-year senior point guard Lamont Butler was exceptional, scoring a career-high 33 points on 10-10 shooting from the floor, including six 3-pointers.

Butler's performance demonstrated his skill and leadership on the court.

Previous Ranking: 6

Duke improved one spot in Parrish's rankings after a comfortable 72-46 win over Incarnate Word. Standout freshman Cooper Flagg has been living up to expectations, averaging 15.9 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game while shooting 42.9% from the field. If he can improve his 3-point percentage to 22.2%, the Blue Devils will be a force to be reckoned with in March.

Flagg's potential and Duke's overall performance make them a team to watch.

Previous Ranking: 7

For Parrish's fourth SEC team in the rankings, he chose the Crimson Tide. Alabama has an impressive resume, boasting three victories over ranked opponents. Most recently, they downed Creighton 83-75. All-American guard Mark Sears stole the show, notching 27 points on 4-7 shooting from downtown.

Sears' scoring and Alabama's overall record make them a team to keep an eye on.

Previous Ranking: 10

The Jayhawks have fallen a bit since the beginning of the year but are still a legitimate contender for the national title. After back-to-back losses last week, they bounced back with a 75-60 win over NC State. Hunter Dickinson and Zeke Mayo combined for 47 points, 17 rebounds, and nine assists, helping the team improve to 8-2 on the season with a perfect home record.

The Jayhawks' ability to bounce back and their star players' performances make them a team to consider.

Previous Ranking: 16

Florida made a significant leap in Parrish's rankings with dominant wins over Virginia and Arizona State. In their 83-66 triumph over the Sun Devils, they were dominant on the glass, grabbing twice as many offensive rebounds. With this win, Florida improved to 10-0 for the first time since the 2005-06 season under head coach Billy Donovan. That team went on to win the national championship.

Florida's recent form and their coach's leadership are key factors in their rise in the rankings.

Previous Ranking: 4

Marquette had a mixed week. They won over Wisconsin but then lost to Dayton with an ugly performance, shooting 40.7% from the field and committing 13 turnovers. Despite the loss, Kam Jones has been a force to be reckoned with this season, averaging 20.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 6.4 assists per game.

Jones' performance and Marquette's potential make them a team that can still make an impact.

Previous Ranking: 11

Michigan State is on a three-game win streak, most recently dominating Nebraska 89-52. Jaden Adkins led the way with 18 points, and the Spartans have a head start in conference play with a 2-0 record. However, they'll have to prove themselves moving forward as the Big Ten is as competitive as ever this season.

Michigan State's recent wins and their potential in conference play make them a team to monitor.

As conference play begins, the college basketball season is set to get even more exciting. These teams will continue to battle it out for the top spots and the chance to make a deep run in the postseason.

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